[Working conditions of obstetrical nurses: empirical evidence]

This work aimed at the description of the working conditions of the nurse, its specification, transformation and contradictions. The sample was constituted of 10 skilled nurses or specialists in obstetric nursing active in six public institutions in Salvador (four maternity hospitals and two hospitals). As technique of data collection there were used interviews and observation with participation. The results on the working conditions are presented through the following components; working day, wage, feeding, rest, human resources, facilities, material and other aspects. There were observed several inadequacies in the conditions offered to the work of a nurse, not only the ones related to the environment but also the needed raw materials for the women assistance during the birth as well. There were found some accounts related to the existing conditions for the work, which demonstrated inherent conditions in the health work seen as social practice.